U.S. patent application number 10/974476 was filed with the patent office on 2006-04-20 for enhanced user assistance.
This patent application is currently assigned to Searete LLC, a limited liability corporation of the State of Delaware.. Invention is credited to Edward K. Y. Jung, Royce A. Levien, Mark A. Malamud, John D. JR. Rinaldo.
Application Number | 20060081695 10/974476 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36179697 |
Filed Date | 2006-04-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060081695 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jung; Edward K. Y. ; et
al. |
April 20, 2006 |
Enhanced user assistance
Abstract
Methods, devices, and systems that provide enhanced user
assistance. A method includes receiving a query related to an
electronic device through a first interface associated with the
electronic device, and providing an assistance corresponding to the
query through a second interface associated with the electronic
device. A system includes an electronic device including a first
interface and a second interface. The system further includes
instructions which when implemented in the electronic device cause
the electronic device to receive a query related to the electronic
device through a first interface associated with the electronic
device, and provide an assistance corresponding to the query
through a second interface associated with the electronic
device.
Inventors: |
Jung; Edward K. Y.;
(Bellevue, WA) ; Levien; Royce A.; (Lexington,
MA) ; Malamud; Mark A.; (Seattle, WA) ;
Rinaldo; John D. JR.; (Bellevue, WA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Searete LLC
Suite 110
1756 - 114th Ave. S.E.
Bellevue
WA
98004
US
|
Assignee: |
Searete LLC, a limited liability
corporation of the State of Delaware.
|
Family ID: |
36179697 |
Appl. No.: |
10/974476 |
Filed: |
October 26, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10955966 |
Sep 30, 2004 |
|
|
|
10974476 |
Oct 26, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
235/375 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 10/06 20130101;
G06Q 10/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
235/375 |
International
Class: |
G06F 17/00 20060101
G06F017/00 |
Claims
1. A method comprising: (a) receiving a query related to an
electronic device through a first interface associated with the
electronic device; and (b) providing an assistance corresponding to
the query through a second interface associated with the electronic
device.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first interface includes an
element of the electronic device in a first state and the second
interface includes the element of the electronic device in a second
state.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first interface includes an
element of the electronic device in a first mode and the second
interface includes the element of the electronic device in a second
mode.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving query related to
the electronic device includes receiving an assistance request
related to the electronic device.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving a query related to
an electronic device through a first interface associated with the
electronic device includes receiving a selection of an aspect of
the electronic device through a first interface associated with the
electronic device.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the receiving a selection of an
aspect of the electronic device through a first interface
associated with the electronic device includes detecting a user
selection of an aspect of the electronic device through a first
interface associated with the aspect of the electronic device.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the first interface associated
with an aspect of the electronic device includes a first interface
physically associated with an aspect of the electronic device.
8. The method of claim 6, wherein the first interface associated
with an aspect of the electronic device includes a first interface
virtually associated with the aspect of the electronic device.
9. The method of claim 5, wherein the receiving a selection of an
aspect of the electronic device through a first interface
associated with the electronic device includes detecting a touch
through a first interface associated with the electronic
device.
10. The method of claim 5, wherein the receiving a selection of an
aspect of the electronic device includes receiving a selection of a
component associated with the electronic device.
11. The method of claim 5, wherein the receiving a selection of an
aspect of the electronic device includes receiving a selection of a
function associated with the electronic device.
12. The method of claim 5, wherein the receiving a selection of an
aspect of the electronic device includes receiving a selection of a
program associated with the electronic device.
13. The method of claim 5, wherein the receiving a selection of an
aspect of the electronic device includes receiving a selection of a
process associated with the electronic device.
14. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving a query through a
first interface includes receiving a query through a first user
interface.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the receiving a query through a
first user interface includes detecting a touch to the first user
interface.
16. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving a query through a
first interface includes detecting a sound through the first
interface.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the detecting a sound through
the first interface includes detecting a sound of a spoken word
through the first interface.
18. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic device includes a
computing device and the receiving a query includes receiving a
query related to an aspect of the computing device.
19. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic device includes
an electrical appliance and the receiving a query includes
receiving a query related to an aspect of the electrical
appliance.
20. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic device includes a
limited resource computing device and the receiving query includes
receiving a query related to an aspect of the limited resource
computing device.
21. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic device includes a
pervasive computing device and the receiving a query includes
receiving a query related to an aspect of the pervasive computing
device.
22. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic device includes a
digital appliance and the receiving a query includes receiving a
query related to an aspect of the digital appliance.
23. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing an assistance
includes providing a user assistance.
24. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing an assistance
includes at least one of visually providing an assistance, audibly
providing an assistance, providing a spoken assistance, or
tactilely providing an assistance.
25. (canceled)
26. (canceled)
27. (canceled)
28. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing an assistance
includes at least one of providing a guided response assistance, or
providing an interactive tutorial assistance.
29. (canceled)
30. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing an assistance
includes providing an assistance corresponding with a physical
element of the electronic device.
31. The method of claim 30, wherein the providing an assistance
corresponding with the physical element of the device includes
blinking a light emitter associated with the physical element.
32. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing an assistance
includes providing a guidance corresponding with a process
associated with the electronic device.
33. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing an assistance
includes providing a description of an aspect of the device
electronic.
34. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing an assistance
includes providing an assistance showing how an aspect of the
device works.
35. The method of claim 1, further comprising; (c) searching an
assistance file for an assistance correlating with the query.
36. A computer-readable medium containing computer instructions
which, when run on a computing device, cause the computing device
to perform the method of claim 1.
37. The computer-readable medium of claim 36, wherein the
computer-readable medium includes a computer storage medium.
38. The computer storage medium of claim 37, wherein the computer
storage medium is carried by a computer readable carrier.
39. The computer-readable medium of claim 36, wherein the
computer-readable medium includes a communications medium.
40. A system comprising: (a) an electronic device including a first
interface and a second interface; and (b) instructions which when
implemented in the electronic device cause the electronic device
to: (i) receive a query related to the electronic device through
the first interface; and (ii) provide an assistance corresponding
to the query through the second interface.
41. The system of claim 40, wherein the first interface includes an
element of the electronic device in a first state and the second
interface includes the element of the electronic device in a second
state.
42. The method of claim 1, wherein the first interface includes an
element of the electronic device in a first mode and the second
interface includes the element of the electronic device in a second
mode.
43. The system of claim 40, wherein the first interface includes a
first user interface.
44. The system of claim 40, wherein the second interface includes a
second user interface.
45. The system of claim 40, wherein the first interface and the
second interface are at least substantially similar.
46. The system of claim 40, wherein the second user interface
includes the first user interface.
47. The system of claim 40, wherein the first interface includes a
button.
48. (canceled)
49. (canceled)
50. The system of claim 40, wherein the first interface includes a
visual display.
51. (canceled)
52. The system of claim 50, wherein the visual display includes a
light emitter.
53. A apparatus comprising: (a) means associated with an electronic
device for receiving a query related to the electronic device; and
(b) means associated with the electronic device for providing an
assistance corresponding to the query.
54. A system comprising: (a) a query module operable to receive a
query related to an electronic device through a first interface
associated with the electronic device; and (b) an assistance module
operable to provide an assistance corresponding to the query
through a second interface associated with the electronic
device.
55. A method comprising: (a) receiving a query related to an aspect
of an electronic device through a first user interface of the
electronic device; and (b) providing the assistance corresponding
to the query through a second user interface of the electronic
device.
56. The method of claim 55, wherein the first user interface
includes a first user interface associated with the aspect of the
electronic device.
57. The method of claim 56, wherein the first user interface
associated with the aspect of the electronic device includes a
first user interface physically associated with the aspect of the
electronic device.
58. (canceled)
59. The method of claim 55, wherein the first user interface
includes a first user interface proximately associated with the
aspect of the electronic device.
60. (canceled)
61. The method of claim 55, wherein the electronic device includes
a limited resource computing device and the receiving a query
includes receiving a query related an aspect of the limited
resource computing device.
62. The method of claim 55, further comprising: (c) searching an
assistance file for an assistance correlating with the query.
63. A system comprising: (a) an electronic device having a
plurality of user interfaces; (b) an assistance file having a
content related to the electronic device; and (c) an assistance
manager which includes instructions that when implemented in the
electronic device cause the electronic device to: (i) receive a
query related to the electronic device through a first user
interface of the plurality of user interfaces; (ii) search the
assistance file for an assistance corresponding to the query; and
(iii) provide the assistance corresponding to the query through a
second user interface of the plurality of user interfaces.
64. The method of claim 63, wherein the computing device includes a
storage medium operable to store the assistance file.
65. An apparatus comprising: (a) means associated with an aspect of
an electronic device for receiving a query related to the aspect of
the electronic device; (b) means for searching an assistance file
for an assistance correlating with the query; and (c) means
associated with the aspect of the electronic device for providing
the assistance corresponding to the query.
66. (canceled)
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is related to, claims the earliest
available effective filing date(s) from (e.g., claims earliest
available priority dates for other than provisional patent
applications; claims benefits under 35 USC .sctn. 119(e) for
provisional patent applications), and incorporates by reference in
its entirety all subject matter of the herein listed
application(s); the present application also claims the earliest
available effective filing date(s) from, and also incorporates by
reference in its entirety all subject matter of any and all parent,
grandparent, great-grandparent, etc. applications of the herein
listed application(s). The United States Patent Office (USPTO) has
published a notice to the effect that the USPTO's computer programs
require that patent applicants reference both a serial number and
indicate whether an application is a continuation or continuation
in part. The present applicant entity has provided below a specific
reference to the application(s) from which priority is being
claimed as recited by statute Applicant entity understands that the
statute is unambiguous in its specific reference language and does
not require either a serial number or any characterization such as
"continuation" or "continuation-in-part." Notwithstanding the
foregoing, applicant entity understands that the USPTO's computer
programs have certain data entry requirements, and hence applicant
entity is designating the present application as a continuation in
part of its parent applications, but expressly points out that such
designations are not to be construed in any way as any type of
commentary and/or admission as to whether or not the present
application contains any new matter in addition to the matter of
its parent application(s).
[0002] 1. For purposes of the USPTO extra-statutory requirements,
the present application constitutes a continuation in part of
currently co-pending United States patent application entitled
PROVIDING ASSISTANCE, naming Edward K. Y. Jung, Royce A. Levien,
Mark A. Malamud, and John D. Rinaldo, Jr., as inventors, filed Sep.
30, 2004, Ser. No. 10/955,966.
[0003] In an event of any inconsistencies between the instant
application and an application incorporated by reference, the
instant application controls.
SUMMARY
[0004] An embodiment provides a method. The method includes
receiving a query related to an electronic device through a first
interface associated with the electronic device, and providing an
assistance corresponding to the query through a second interface
associated with the electronic device. The first interface may
include an element of the electronic device in a first state and
the second interface may include the element of the electronic
device in a second state. The first interface may include an
element of the electronic device in a first mode and the second
interface may include the element of the electronic device in a
second mode. The receiving a query related to the electronic device
may include receiving an assistance request related to the
electronic device. The receiving a query related to an electronic
device through a first interface associated with the electronic
device may include receiving a selection of an aspect of the
electronic device through a first interface associated with the
electronic device. The receiving a selection of an aspect of the
electronic device through a first interface associated with the
electronic device may include detecting a user selection of an
aspect of the electronic device through a first interface
associated with the aspect of the electronic device. The first
interface associated with an aspect of the electronic device may
include a first interface physically associated with an aspect of
the electronic device. The first interface associated with an
aspect of the electronic device may include a first interface
virtually associated with the aspect of the electronic device. The
receiving a selection of an aspect of the electronic device through
a first interface associated with the electronic device may include
detecting a touch through a first interface associated with the
electronic device. The receiving a selection of an aspect of the
electronic device may include receiving a selection of a component
associated with the electronic device. The receiving a selection of
an aspect of the electronic device may include receiving a
selection of a function associated with the electronic device,
which may include receiving a selection of a program associated
with the electronic device, and may include receiving a selection
of a process associated with the electronic device.
[0005] The receiving a query through a first interface may include
receiving a query through a first user interface, which may include
detecting a touch to the first user interface. The receiving a
query through a first interface may include detecting a sound
through the first interface, which may include detecting a sound of
a spoken word through the first interface. The electronic device
may include a computing device and the receiving a query may
include receiving a query related to an aspect of the computing
device. The electronic device may include an electrical appliance
and the receiving a query may include receiving a query related to
an aspect of the electrical appliance. The electronic device may
include a limited resource computing device and the receiving query
may include receiving a query related to an aspect of the limited
resource computing device. The electronic device may include a
pervasive computing device and the receiving a query may include
receiving a query related to an aspect of the pervasive computing
device. The electronic device may include a digital appliance and
the receiving a query may include receiving a query related to an
aspect of the digital appliance.
[0006] The providing an assistance may include providing a user
assistance, which may include visually providing a user assistance.
The providing an assistance may include providing an audible
assistance, a spoken assistance, and/or a tactile assistance. The
providing an assistance may include providing a guided response
assistance, and/or an interactive tutorial assistance. The
providing an assistance may include providing an assistance
corresponding with a physical element of the electronic device,
which may include blinking a light emitter associated with the
physical element. The providing an assistance may include providing
a guidance corresponding with a process associated with the
electronic device. The providing an assistance may include
providing a description of an aspect of the electronic device. The
providing an assistance may include providing an assistance showing
how an aspect of the device works.
[0007] The method may further include searching an assistance file
for an assistance correlating with the query. An embodiment may
also include a computer-readable medium containing computer
instructions which, when run on a computing device, cause the
computing device to perform the above provided method. The
computer-readable medium may include a computer storage medium, and
the computer storage medium may be carried by a computer readable
carrier. The computer-readable medium may include a communications
medium.
[0008] Another embodiment provides a system. The system includes an
electronic device including a first interface and a second
interface. The system further includes instructions which when
implemented in the electronic device cause the electronic device to
receive a query related to the electronic device through a first
interface associated with the electronic device, and provide an
assistance corresponding to the query through a second interface
associated with the electronic device. The first interface may
include an element of the electronic device in a first state and
the second interface may include the element of the electronic
device in a second state. The first interface may include an
element of the electronic device in a first mode and the second
interface may include the element of the electronic device in a
second mode. The first interface may include a first user
interface. The second interface may include a second user
interface. The first interface and the second interface may be at
least substantially similar, and the second user interface may
include the first user interface. The first interface may include a
button, which may include a tangible button and a virtual button.
The first interface may include a visual display. The visual
display may include a visual display surface, and may include a
light emitter.
[0009] A further embodiment provides an apparatus. The apparatus
includes a means associated with an electronic device for receiving
a query related to the electronic device, and a means associated
with the electronic device for providing an assistance
corresponding to the query.
[0010] An embodiment provides a system. The system includes a query
module operable to receive a query related to an electronic device
through a first interface associated with an electronic device, and
an assistance module operable to provide an assistance
corresponding to the query through a second interface associated
with the electronic device.
[0011] An embodiment provides a method. The method includes
receiving a query related to an aspect of an electronic device
through a first user interface, and providing the assistance
corresponding to the query through a second user interface of the
electronic device. The first user interface may include a first
user interface associated with the aspect of the electronic device,
which may include a first user interface physically associated with
the aspect of the electronic device. The first user interface
associated with the aspect of the electronic device may include a
first user interface virtually associated with the aspect of the
electronic device. The first user interface may include a first
user interface proximately associated with the aspect of the
electronic device. The first user interface may include a first
user interface virtually associated with the aspect of the
electronic device. The electronic device may include a limited
resource computing device and the receiving a query may include
receiving a query related an aspect of the limited resource
computing device. The method may further include searching an
assistance file for an assistance correlating with the query.
[0012] Another embodiment provides a system. The system includes an
electronic device having a plurality of user interfaces, an
assistance file having a content related to the electronic device,
and an assistance manager. The assistance manager includes
instructions that when implemented in the electronic device cause
the electronic device to receive a query related to the electronic
device through a first user interface of the plurality of user
interfaces, search the assistance file for an assistance
corresponding to the query, and provide the assistance
corresponding to the query through a second user interface of the
plurality of user interfaces. The computing device may include a
storage medium operable to store the assistance file.
[0013] A further embodiment provides an apparatus. The apparatus
includes a means associated with an aspect of an electronic device
for receiving a query related to the aspect of the electronic
device, a means for searching an assistance file for an assistance
correlating with the query, and a means associated with the aspect
of the electronic device for providing the assistance corresponding
to the query.
[0014] An embodiment provides a system. The system includes a query
module operable to receive a query related to an electronic device
through a first interface associated with an electronic device. The
system also includes a search module operable to search an
assistance file for an assistance correlating with the query, and
an assistance module operable to provide an assistance
corresponding to the query through a second interface associated
with the electronic device.
[0015] In addition to the foregoing, various other method and/or
system aspects are set forth and described in the text (e.g.,
claims and/or detailed description) and/or drawings of the present
application.
[0016] The foregoing is a summary and thus contains, by necessity,
simplifications, generalizations and omissions of detail;
consequently, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the
summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way
limiting. Other aspects, inventive features, and advantages of the
devices and/or processes described herein, as defined solely by the
claims, will become apparent in the detailed description set forth
herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary system in which embodiments
may be implemented, including a thin computing device and a
functional element of an electronic device;
[0018] FIG. 2 illustrates another exemplary system in which
embodiments may be implemented, including a general-purpose
computing device;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary operation
that provides assistance;
[0020] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating additional detail
related to an alternative embodiment of the exemplary query
operation of FIG. 3;
[0021] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary operation
supplementing the exemplary query operation that provides
assistance described in conjunction with FIG. 3;
[0022] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary system in which embodiments
may be implemented; and
[0023] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary operation
that receives assistance requests, which may come from an inputter,
such as a human user
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] In the following detailed description of exemplary
embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which
form a part hereof. In the several figures, like referenced
numerals identify like elements. The detailed description and the
drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments. Other embodiments may be
utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the
spirit or scope of the subject matter presented here. The following
detailed description is therefore not to be taken in a limiting
sense, and the scope of the claimed subject matter is defined by
the appended claims.
[0025] Features, functionality, and options of computing devices,
such as personal computers, have rapidly advanced as technology
provides increased processor speeds, storage capacity,
connectivity, and interconnectivity, all at decreased cost. At the
same time, software, programs, games, and procedures have similarly
rapidly advanced. Additionally, rapid advances have been made in
interconnectability and interoperability of computing devices and
other devices, such as handheld devices and cell phones. These
advances are intended to provide a user with many benefits.
However, realization of these benefits may require that a user read
and re-read manuals.
[0026] When new, a user may or many not take the trouble to read a
manual. Manuals are sometimes considered too complex and
troublesome to comprehend. As a result, the advances may be unused
and the user dissatisfied. A user may benefit from being able to
input a selection of an aspect of a computer relevant to a need or
question through a user interface associated with the aspect, and
then let the computer guide them from there using the same or
another user interface of the computer.
[0027] Additionally, manuals are sometimes lost, misplaced, or
unavailable, such as for example, when traveling. A user may
further benefit by being able to obtain assistance directly from
the computer of a nature often provided by a comprehensive user
manual.
[0028] Further, as a result of rapidly advancing computer
technology, computing devices are become smaller, more powerful,
and cheaper. The advancing computing technology is moving beyond
the personal computer and into everyday items and devices,
providing embedded technology and connectivity. Almost any thing or
item, from buildings to clothing, from telephones to tools, from
appliances to cars, from homes to the human body, from personal
information devices to a common a coffee mug, can have an embedded
electronic device that includes a thin computing device. The
embedded electronic device typically improves performance and
capacity of a basic functionality of the item, and may connect the
item with a network of other items or the Internet. These items
with embedded electronic devices may be described using a variety
of names, which may not have a bright line distinction between
them. Commonly used names include a limited resource computing
device, limited capacity computing device, ubiquitous computing
device, pervasive computing device, digital appliance, and Internet
appliance. Such items may be collectively referred to herein from
time-to-time as "pervasive computing," or a "pervasive computing
device" for economy of words and to aid in reading and
understanding embodiments disclosed herein.
[0029] Pervasive computing provides increased functionality, it
often requires increased interaction between a user and a
previously dumb device. Pervasive computing devices, such as
conventional telephones, cell phones, smart phones, pocket
organizers, and personal digital assistants, often present a user
with widely varying user interface protocols. This may contribute
to user confusion about an aspect of the pervasive computing device
they are viewing, such as a particular button. As a result, simply
finding appropriate aspects of the device related to a portion of
the user manual may be difficult or impossible. Like a computer
user, a pervasive computing device user may benefit from
interactive assistance.
[0030] Rapidly advancing technology may also provide an opportunity
for increased interaction between traditionally dumb items and user
manuals. Many dumb items have become more complex and sophisticated
to meet user demand. For example, simply adjusting an ergonomic
chair requires complex instructions and location of knobs placed at
odd locations. User manuals have correspondingly become more
complex and sometimes confusing. As a result, simply finding
appropriate aspects of the item related to a portion of the user
manual may be difficult or impossible. A user may benefit from
interactive assistance with these traditionally dumb items.
[0031] FIG. 1 and the following discussion are intended to provide
a brief, general description of an environment in which embodiments
may be implemented. FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary system that
includes a thin computing device 20 of an electronic device that
also includes device functional element 50. For example, the
electronic device may include any item having electrical and/or
electronic components playing a role in a functionality of the
item, such as a limited resource computing device, a digital
camera, a cell phone, a printer, a refrigerator, a car, and an
airplane. The thin computing device 20 includes a processing unit
21, a system memory 22, and a system bus 23 that couples various
system components including the system memory 22 to the processing
unit 21. The system bus 23 may be any of several types of bus
structures including a memory bus or memory controller, a
peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety of bus
architectures. The system memory includes read-only memory (ROM) 24
and random access memory (RAM) 25. A basic input/output system
(BIOS) 26, containing the basic routines that help to transfer
information between sub-components within the thin computing device
20, such as during start-up, is stored in the ROM 24. A number of
program modules may be stored in the ROM 24 and/or RAM 25,
including an operating system 28, one or more application programs
29, other program modules 30 and program data 31.
[0032] A user may enter commands and information into the computing
device 20 through input devices, such as a number of switches and
buttons, illustrated as hardware buttons 44, connected to the
system via a suitable interface 45. Input devices may further
include a touch-sensitive display screen 32 with suitable input
detection circuitry 33). The output circuitry of the
touch-sensitive display 32 is connected to the system bus 23 via a
video driver 37. Other input devices may include a microphone 34
connected through a suitable audio interface 35, and a physical
hardware keyboard (not shown). In addition to the display 32, the
computing device 20 may include other peripheral output devices,
such as at least one speaker 38.
[0033] Other external input or output devices 39, such as a
joystick, game pad, satellite dish, scanner or the like may be
connected to the processing unit 21 through a USB port 40 and USB
port interface 41, to the system bus 23. Alternatively, the other
external input and output devices 39 may be connected by other
interfaces, such as a parallel port, game port or other port. The
computing device 20 may further include or be capable of connecting
to a flash card memory (not shown) through an appropriate
connection port (not shown). The computing device 20 may further
include or be capable of connecting with a network through a
network port 42 and network interface 43, and through wireless port
46 and corresponding wireless interface 47 may be provided to
facilitate communication with other peripheral devices, including
other computers, printers, and so on (not shown). It will be
appreciated that the various components and connections shown are
exemplary and other components and means of establishing
communications links may be used.
[0034] The computing device 20 may be primarily designed to include
a user interface having a character, key-based, other user data
input via the touch sensitive display 32 using a stylus (not
shown). Moreover, the user interface is not limited to an actual
touch-sensitive panel arranged for directly receiving input, but
may alternatively or in addition respond to another input device,
such as the microphone 34. For example, spoken words may be
received at the microphone 34 and recognized. Alternatively, the
computing device 20 may be designed to include a user interface
having a physical keyboard (not shown).
[0035] The device functional elements 50 are typically application
specific and related to a function of the electronic device, and is
coupled with the system bus 23 through an interface (not shown).
The functional element may typically perform a single well-defined
task with little or no user configuration or setup, such as a
refrigerator keeping food cold, a cell phone connecting with an
appropriate tower and transceiving voice or data information, and a
camera capturing and saving an image.
[0036] FIG. 2 illustrates another exemplary system on which
embodiments of may be implemented. FIG. 2 illustrates an electronic
device that may correspond in whole or part to a general-purpose
computing device, shown as a computer 100. Components of the
computer 100 may include, but are not limited to, a processing unit
120, a system memory 130, and a system bus 121 that couples various
system components including the system memory to the processing
unit 120. The system bus 121 may be any of several types of bus
structures including a memory bus or memory controller, a
peripheral bus, and a local bus using any-of a variety of bus
architectures. By way of example, and not limitation, such
architectures include Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus,
Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus,
Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) local bus, and
Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus, also known as
Mezzanine bus.
[0037] The computer 100 typically includes a variety of
computer-readable media. Computer-readable media can be any
available media that can be accessed by the computer 100 and
include both volatile and nonvolatile media, removable and
non-removable media. By way of example, and not limitation,
computer-readable media may include computer storage media and
communications media. Computer storage media includes both volatile
and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in
any method or technology for storage of information such as
computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules,
or other data. Computer storage media include, but are not limited
to, random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM),
electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash
memory, or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks
(DVD), or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic
tape, magnetic disk storage, or other magnetic storage devices, or
any other medium which can be used to store the desired information
and which can be accessed by the computer 100. Communications media
typically embody computer-readable instructions, data structures,
program modules, or other data in a modulated data signal such as a
carrier wave or other transport mechanism and include any
information delivery media. The term "modulated data signal" means
a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed
in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of
example, and not limitation, communications media include wired
media such as a wired network and a direct-wired connection and
wireless media such as acoustic, RF, optical, and infrared media.
Combinations of the any of the above should also be included within
the scope of computer-readable media.
[0038] The system memory 130 includes computer storage media in the
form of volatile and nonvolatile memory such as ROM 131 and RAM
132. A basic input/output system (BIOS) 133, containing the basic
routines that help to transfer information between elements within
the computer 100, such as during start-up, is typically stored in
ROM 131. RAM 132 typically contains data and program modules that
are immediately accessible to or presently being operated on by
processing unit 120. By way of example, and not limitation, FIG. 2
illustrates an operating system 134, application programs 135,
other program modules 136, and program data 137. Often, the
operating system 134 offers services to applications programs 135
by way of one or more application programming interfaces (APIs)
(not shown). Because the operating system 134 incorporates these
services, developers of applications programs 135 need not
redevelop code to use the services. Examples of APIs provided by
operating systems such as Microsoft's "WINDOWS" are well known in
the art.
[0039] The computer 100 may also include other
removable/non-removable, volatile/nonvolatile computer storage
media. By way of example only, FIG. 2 illustrates a non-removable
non-volatile memory interface (hard disk interface) 140 that reads
from and writes to non-removable, nonvolatile magnetic media, a
magnetic disk drive 151 that reads from and writes to a removable,
nonvolatile magnetic disk 152, and an optical disk drive 155 that
reads from and writes to a removable, nonvolatile optical disk 156
such as a CD ROM. Other removable/nonremovable,
volatile/nonvolatile computer storage media that can be used in the
exemplary operating environment include, but are not limited to,
magnetic tape cassettes, flash memory cards, DVDs, digital video
tape, solid state RAM, and solid state ROM. The hard disk drive 141
is typically connected to the system bus 121 through a
non-removable memory interface, such as the interface 140, and
magnetic disk drive 151 and optical disk drive 155 are typically
connected to the system bus 121 by a removable memory interface,
such as interface 150.
[0040] The drives and their associated computer storage media
discussed above and illustrated in FIG. 2 provide storage of
computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules,
and other data for the computer 100. In FIG. 2, for example, hard
disk drive 141 is illustrated as storing an operating system 144,
application programs 145, other program modules 146, and program
data 147. Note that these components can either be the same as or
different from the operating system 134, application programs 135,
other program modules 136, and program data 137. The operating
system 144, application programs 145, other program modules 146,
and program data 147 are given different numbers here to illustrate
that, at a minimum, they are different copies. A user may enter
commands and information into the computer 100 through input
devices such as a microphone 163, keyboard 162 and pointing device
161, commonly referred to as a mouse, trackball, or touch pad.
Other input devices (not shown) may include a joystick, game pad,
satellite dish, and scanner. These and other input devices are
often connected to the processing unit 120 through a user input
interface 160 that is coupled to the system bus, but may be
connected by other interface and bus structures, such as a parallel
port, game port, or a universal serial bus (USB). A monitor 191 or
other type of display device is also connected to the system bus
121 via an interface, such as a video interface 190. In addition to
the monitor, computers may also include other peripheral output
devices such as speakers 197 and printer 196, which may be
connected through an output peripheral interface 195.
[0041] The computer 100 may operate in a networked environment
using logical connections to one or more remote computers, such as
a remote computer 180. The remote computer 180 may be a personal
computer, a server, a router, a network PC, a peer device, or other
common network node, and typically includes many or all of the
elements described above relative to the computer 100, although
only a memory storage device 181 has been illustrated in FIG. 2.
The logical connections depicted in FIG. 2 include a local area
network (LAN) 171 and a wide area network (WAN) 173, but may also
include other networks such as a personal area network (PAN) (not
shown). Such networking environments are commonplace in offices,
enterprise-wide computer networks, intranets, and the Internet.
[0042] When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 100
is connected to the LAN 171 through a network interface or adapter
170. When used in a WAN networking environment, the computer 100
typically includes a modem 172 or other means for establishing
communications over the WAN 173, such as the Internet. The modem
172, which may be internal or external, may be connected to the
system bus 121 via the user input interface 160, or via another
appropriate mechanism. In a networked environment, program modules
depicted relative to the computer 100, or portions thereof, may be
stored in a remote memory storage device. By way of example, and
not limitation, FIG. 2 illustrates remote application programs 185
as residing on memory device 181. It will be appreciated that the
network connections shown are exemplary and other means of
establishing a communications link between the computers may be
used.
[0043] In the description that follows, embodiments will be
described with reference to acts and symbolic representations of
operations that are performed by one or more computing devices,
such a computing device 20 of FIG. 1 and/or computer 100 of FIG. 2,
unless indicated otherwise. As such, it will be understood that
such acts and operations, which are at times referred to as being
computer-executed, include the manipulation by the processing unit
of the computer of electrical signals representing data in a
structured form. This manipulation transforms the data or maintains
them at locations in the memory system of the computer, which
reconfigures or otherwise alters the operation of the computer in a
manner well understood by those skilled in the art. The data
structures where data are maintained are physical locations of the
memory that have particular properties defined by the format of the
data. However, while an embodiment is being described in the
foregoing context, it is not meant to be limiting as those of skill
in the art will appreciate that the acts and operations described
hereinafter may also be implemented in hardware.
[0044] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an example of a suitable
environment on which embodiments may be implemented. The computing
device 20 of FIG. 1 and/or computer 100 of FIG. 2 are only examples
of a suitable environment and are not intended to suggest any
limitation as to the scope of use or functionality of an
embodiment. Neither should the environment be interpreted as having
any dependency or requirement relating to any one or combination of
components illustrated in an exemplary operating environment.
[0045] Embodiments may be implemented with numerous other
general-purpose or special-purpose computing devices and computing
system environments or configurations. Examples of well-known
computing systems, environments, and configurations that may be
suitable for use with an embodiment include, but are not limited
to, personal computers, server computers, hand-held or laptop
devices, personal digital assistants, multiprocessor systems,
microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes, programmable consumer
electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, and
distributed computing environments that include any of the above
systems or devices.
[0046] Embodiments may be described in a general context of
computer-executable instructions, such as program modules, being
executed by a computer. Generally, program modules include
routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc.,
that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data
types. An embodiment may also be practiced in distributed computing
environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices
that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed
computing environment, program modules may be located in both local
and remote computer storage media including memory storage
devices.
[0047] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary operation
200 that provides assistance. After a start operation, the
operation moves to operation 210. At activation operation 210, an
assistance manager is activated. The assistance manager typically
includes instructions, such as computer readable instructions, for
example, a program, process, and/or application operating on an
electronic device that implements the exemplary operation 200 that
provides assistance.
[0048] At query operation 220, a query related to an electronic
device is received through a first interface associated with the
electronic device. The query may include a selection of an aspect
of the electronic device as a subject of the query. The query may
include any aspect of the electronic device for which a user might
desire assistance, such as, a feature of the device, an element of
the device, and a process associated with the device. The query
related to the electronic device may include an assistance request
related to the electronic device. The assistance request may
include a request related to the electronic device in any manner,
including the selected aspect of the electronic device. For
example, the assistance request may include any request related to
the electronic device, such as "show me," "demonstrate," and "guide
me." The first interface may include a first user interface.
[0049] The electronic device may be incorporated into any type of
appliance and/or item. In certain embodiments, the electronic
device may include a computing device, such as a personal computer
and a server. In other embodiments, the electronic device may
include a limited resource computing device, an appliance, a
pervasive computing device, and a digital appliance. Examples may
include a PDA, a cell phone, a Blackberry appliance, an on-board
computing device, such as in a car, boat, and/or aircraft, an
X-Box, a home gateway, a set-top box, a point-of-sale terminal, a
digital camera, a TiVo, and an automated teller machine. By way of
further example, the electronic device may include a computing
device and the query may relate to an aspect of the computing
device. The electronic device may include an electrical appliance
and the query may relate to an aspect of the electrical appliance.
The electronic device may include a limited resource computing
device and the query may relate to an aspect of the limited
resource computing device. The electronic device may include a
pervasive computing device and the query may relate to an aspect of
the pervasive computing device. The electronic device may include a
digital appliance and the query may relate to an aspect of the
digital appliance.
[0050] At search operation 230, an assistance file is searched for
an assistance response correlating to the query. Searching the
assistance file may include searching an assistance file stored in
a storage media associated with the electronic device, such as the
system memory 22 of FIG. 1, or coupled with the electronic device.
Alternatively, the assistance file may be stored and/or searched
remotely and coupled with a functionality of the operation 230,
such as by a network, such as a LAN, a WAN, or the Internet.
[0051] At assistance operation 240, an assistance response is
provided correlating to the query through a second interface of the
electronic device. In an embodiment, the assistance response
provided may include visually providing an assistance with a
physical element of the device, such as blinking a light associated
with the physical element. For example, the physical element may be
a physical button and the light may be a light emitting device
incorporated into the button. In this example, the assistance may
include blinking the LED associated with the button. In an
alternative embodiment, the second interface may include an LED and
a third interface may include a speaker. The provided assistance
may include providing an audible assistance presentation from the
speaker and blinking the LED appropriately during the presentation.
The audible assistance presentation may include a spoken
presentation that includes a word or words. The providing an
assistance further may include tactilely providing an assistance
presentation.
[0052] The provided assistance may include guidance through a
process associated with the aspect of the device, a description of
the aspect of the device, a showing how the aspect of the device
works, and/or an interactive tutorial. The assistance may be
provided in any manner, such as a visual presentation, an audio
presentation, a spoken presentation, a tactile presentation, and/or
a combination of two or more of these manners of presentation.
[0053] In an embodiment, the second interface may be a second user
interface. The second user interface may include a visual display,
a graphical display, and a graphical user interface. The second
user interface may include an audio display, such as an acoustic
speaker. Further, the second user interface may include a tactile
interface, such as a vibrating component. The operation then
proceeds to an end operation.
[0054] The first interface and the second interface may be at least
substantially similar, and the second user interface may include
the first user interface. In an embodiment, the first interface and
the second interface may comprise a same physical or virtual
element of the electronic device. The first interface and the
second interface may share a same physical or virtual element, but
be separately activated when the physical or virtual element is in
different activate modes or states. For example, an interface
having a physical structure and in a first state may function as
the first interface, and in a second state may function as the
second interface. In this example, a single physical button
interface may have a plurality of interface states. Continuing with
these examples, a physical button associated with an electronic
device may have normal operating function related to the electronic
device. Upon activation of an assistance manager and entry into an
assistance mode, the same physical button transitions to a first
state and functions as the first interface that receives a query,
such as at the query operation 220. Upon occurrence of an event,
such as receipt of the query at the query operation 220, or finding
an assistance corresponding to the query at the search operation
230, the same physical button transitions to a second state. In the
second state, the physical button functions as the second interface
that provides assistance corresponding to the query, such as at the
provide operation 240.
[0055] In another example, an interface, such as a physical button,
may function as a first interface when operated in a first mode and
function as a second interface when operated in a second mode. In
this example, a single physical button may function as a first
interface when pressed quickly once and as a second interface when
pressed slowly once. Continuing with this example, the single
physical button may function as a first interface when pressed once
and as a second interface when pressed twice in quick
succession.
[0056] In an embodiment, the operation 200 that provides assistance
may be considered to be an electronic-device assistance manager.
The assistance manager may be implemented in any combination of
hardware, software, and/or firmware configured to effect the
operation 200 that provides assistance, depending upon the design
choices of the system designer. A further embodiment includes a
computer-readable media containing computer instructions which,
when run on a computing device, cause the computing device to
perform the operation 200 that provides assistance. The
computer-readable media may include a computer storage media, which
may be carried by a computer readable carrier, such as a floppy
disk. Alternatively, the computer-readable media may include a
communications media.
[0057] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating additional detail
related to an alternative embodiment of the exemplary query
operation 220 of FIG. 3. At aspect selection operation 250, a
selection corresponding to the electronic device is received
through the first interface. As described in conjunction with query
operation 220 of FIG. 3, the selection designates a subject matter
of the query, and may include a selection of an aspect of the
electronic device. The selection may include an aspect related to
the electronic device, such as, a component associated with the
device, a feature associated with the electronic device, a function
associated with the electronic device, a program associated with
the electronic device, and a process associated with the electronic
device. In an embodiment, the first interface may include a first
user interface.
[0058] In an embodiment, the selection may be received by detecting
a touch to a first user interface associated with the electronic
device, such as a button or a component. The touch may be received
in any manner. For example, such as from a user body part
physically contacting the first user interface, a user body part
being proximate to the first user interface, and a user body part
having an orientation to the first user interface. Similarly, for
example, a touch may be received by a stylus physically contacting
the first user interface, being proximate to the first user
interface, and having an orientation to the first user
interface.
[0059] The first user interface may be associated with an aspect of
the electronic device, such as a physical association. Using a
button for example, a first user interface may be included within a
physical structure of a button, or the first user interface may be
adjacent or proximate to the button. The association of a button or
component and the first user interface may include a logical
association. By a way of further example, an association may
include a touch sensitive portion of a visual display surface. When
the visual display surface displays an image or icon visually
associated with an aspect of an electronic device, a touch to the
displayed image or icon, or a portion of the visual display surface
proximate to the displayed image or icon, may be detected and
received as a selection through an interface logically associated
with the electronic device, or an interface logically associated
with an aspect of the electronic device.
[0060] In another embodiment, the selection may be received by
detecting a sound or word. For example, the first user interface
may include a microphone and processing capability to detect a
sound or spoken word corresponding to a selection related to the
electronic device, or to an aspect of the electronic device. For
example, detecting a signal corresponding to the spoken words "lens
cover" selects a lens cover of a digital camera, and is received as
a selection related to the electronic device, or to the lens cover
of the electronic device.
[0061] At assistance selection operation 260, a selection
corresponding an assistance request is received. In an embodiment,
the selection is received through a third interface of the
electronic device, and the third interface may include a third user
interface. The receiving a selection corresponding to an assistance
request associated with the selection may include detecting a touch
to the third user interface. The third user interface may include a
button. The third user interface may include at least one
preselected query. The selection corresponding to an assistance
request may include a request for a description of functionality, a
request for a description of process, a request for instruction, a
request for information, and/or a request for guidance. The request
for guidance may include a request for a guidance related to
replicating a previous operation of the device. The receiving a
selection corresponding to an assistance request may include
receiving a selection corresponding to an assistance request
selected from a plurality of selections.
[0062] At least two of first, second, and third user interfaces may
be at least substantially similar. In an embodiment, and similar to
the embodiment of the exemplary operation 200 that provides an
assistance described in conjunction with FIG. 3, at least two of
the first interface, the second interface, and the third interface
may comprise a same physical or virtual device. At least two of the
interfaces may share a same physical or virtual device, but be
separately activated when the physical or virtual device is in a
different mode or state.
[0063] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary operation
270 supplementing the exemplary operation 200 that provides
assistance described in conjunction with FIG. 3. The exemplary
operation 270 provides an additional assistance. After a start
operation, and after the provide assistance operation 240 of FIG.
3, the exemplary operation 270 moves to a receive input operation
280. At the receive input operation 280, an input relating to the
provide assistance operation 240 is received. The input may be
received through any interface, including one or more of the user
interfaces described in conjunction with the exemplary operation
200 and FIG. 3. In addition, the input may be received through an
addition interface of the electronic device. The input relating to
the provide assistance operation 240 may include a request for an
additional assistance correlating to the assistance provided by the
provide assistance operation 240. Alternatively, the input
responsive to the provide assistance operation 240 may include a
request that further correlates to the aspect of the device.
[0064] At a search operation 285, the assistance file is searched
for another assistance response correlating to the input relating
to the provide assistance operation 240. The assistance file may be
searched in a manner substantially similar to the searching an
assistance file at the search operation 230. At provide assistance
operation 290, the another assistance is provided. The another
assistance may be any type of assistance, including one or more of
the types of assistance described above, and may include an
interactive question and answer format, and a tutorial format. The
exemplary operation 270 then moves to an end operation.
[0065] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary system 300 in which
embodiments may be implemented. The system 300 includes a digital
camera 310 having image capture and image storage functionality.
The digital camera 310 includes a computing device (not shown),
such as the thin computing device 20 described in conjunction with
FIG. 1. The digital camera 310 also includes a plurality of
interfaces 320. The plurality of interfaces 320 includes a display
332. In alternative embodiments, the display 332 may provide a
textual, a visual display, and a graphical display. In a further
embodiment, the display 332 may include touch screen functionality
operable to accept a user input. The plurality of user interfaces
320 of the camera 310 also includes a microphone 334, a speaker
338, and a plurality of tangible buttons 344A-344E. One or more of
the tangible buttons may include a light emitter, such as a light
emitting device 346A. Further, one or more of the tangible buttons
344A-344E may include a vibrator operable to provide a tactile
display. The display 332 and the tangible buttons 344A-344E may
have any functionality appropriate to the digital camera. For
example, button 344E may be assigned to operate a camera element,
such as a shutter function. Button 344A may be assigned an "enter"
function, and buttons 344B and 344C may be respectively assigned a
scroll up and scroll down function relative to a menu displayed on
the display 332. Button 344D may be assigned to operate another
camera element, such as a lens zoom function. The digital camera
310 also includes context sensors 350, which may be selected, for
example, to produce relevant information about ecologies extrinsic
to the digital camera. The context sensors 350 are illustrated as a
temperature sensor 352 and a light intensity sensor 354. The
digital camera 310 further includes a USB port 340, and a network
port 342.
[0066] The digital camera 310 also includes a system memory (not
shown), such as the system memory 22 of the thin computing device
20 of FIG. 1. The system memory includes saved operating systems
and programs necessary to operate the digital camera 310, and also
includes an assistance manager operable to implement the operation
200 that provides assistance of FIG. 3. The system memory also
includes an assistance file, which may be included in the
assistance manager. The assistance file includes a body of
assistance information intended to help a user in response to a
plurality of user-selected requests related to the digital camera
310. The assistance manager and/or the assistance file may be
provided by an original equipment manufacturer of the camera 310,
or it may be provided by a third party.
[0067] The assistance manager includes operability to receive a
query related to the digital camera 310 through an interface of the
plurality of interfaces 320. For example, in an embodiment,
detecting a user touch to the button 344D may be received as an
instruction to activate the assistance manager, such as the
assistance manager at operation number 210 of FIG. 3. Activation of
the assistance manager transitions the user interfaces 320 to a
first state. A detected subsequent user touch to another user
interface of the plurality of user interfaces 320 may be received
by the assistance manager a query related to the digital camera
310.
[0068] Alternatively, a detected subsequent user touch to another
user interface of the plurality of user interfaces 320 may be
received by the assistance manager as a selection corresponding to
an aspect of the digital camera 310. The user touch may be detected
by a user interface physically incorporated in the aspect of the
digital camera 310 or proximate thereto.
[0069] In an alternative embodiment, the query may be received by
detecting a signal responsive to a sound or voice received by the
microphone 334. For example, a detection and recognition of a
signal responsive to a spoken "help" command to the microphone 334
may be received as an instruction to activate the assistance
manager. Further, a detection and recognition of a signal
responsive to spoken words "shutter button" may be received by the
assistance manager has a selection corresponding to an aspect of
the digital camera 310.
[0070] The assistance manager includes operability to provide
assistance, such as information, advice, guidance, and
instructions, through at least one the plurality of interfaces 320
of the digital camera 310, such as the display 332, the tangible
buttons 344A-344E, and the speaker 338. In an embodiment, the
provided assistance may include any type of presentation, such as a
visual presentation, an audio presentation, a spoken presentation,
a tactile presentation, and a combination of two or more of the
foregoing presentation modes. In another embodiment, the assistance
file includes operability to provide interactive assistance with
additional user inputs being received through the camera user
interfaces 320.
[0071] An alternative embodiment implements the query operation 220
in two parts as described in conjunction with FIG. 4. Activation of
the assistance manager transitions the user interfaces 320 to a
first state. A detected subsequent user touch to another user
interface of the plurality of user interfaces 320 may be received
by the assistance manager as a received aspect selection operation
250, as described in conjunction with FIG. 4. On receiving the
selection 250, the assistance manager transitions the user
interfaces to a second state. A detected subsequent user touch to a
user interface of the plurality of user interfaces 320 may be
received as selection corresponding to an assistance request
through the second user interface of the electronic device. For
example, once the assistance manager transitions the user
interfaces 320 to the second state, information may be displayed on
the display 332 indicating assistance selections associated with
the buttons 344A-344C. The buttons may be appropriately referenced
by information displayed on the display 332, such as "show me,"
"demonstrate," and "guide me" respectively. A selection
corresponding to an assistance request is received by the
assistance manager as received selection corresponding to an
assistance selection operation 260 as described in conjunction with
FIG. 4.
[0072] In the above alternative environment, detection of a signal
responsive to a sound or voice received by the microphone 334, the
assistance selection operation 260 may be received by detection and
recognition of a signal responsive to spoken commands received by
the microphone, such as "show me," "demonstrate," and "guide me."In
operation of an embodiment, a user interested in receiving
assistance related to the digital camera activates the assistance
manager by a long touch to at least one interface of the plurality
of interfaces 320. In this illustrative operation of an embodiment,
the button 344D in a long-touch mode is designated as an assistance
manager activation button. The assistance manager is activated in
response to the button 344D receiving a long touch. The assistance
manager transitions the buttons 344A-344E to a first state. The
user inputs the selection corresponding to an aspect of the digital
camera 310 by touching an interface associated with the aspect. For
example, a user touch may be received at button 344E, the shutter
button, by an interface normally associated with the shutter
button. Because the assistance manager has been activated and the
buttons are in a first state, the touch to the button 344E is
received as an-input selection corresponding to an aspect of the
digital camera, the shutter button. The assistance manager then
transitions the buttons 344A-344E to a second state and displays a
plurality of assistance requests which are visually associated with
the buttons 344A-344C. The buttons 344A-344C may be appropriately
reference by information displayed on the display 332, such as
"show me," "demonstrate," and "guide me" respectively. The
association may be by lead lines indicating a visual association
between a respective word and their respective button. A user touch
to one of the buttons 344A-344C is received by the assistance
manager as a selection corresponding to an assistance request. For
example, if the button 344A is visually associated with
"demonstrate," a user touch detected at an interface associated
with button 344A is received as a selection corresponding to an
assistance request for a demonstration of the shutter button.
[0073] In an alternative embodiment, voice commands may be used to
implement part or all of the operation 200 that provides
assistance. Selections and inputs may be received from signals
responsive to sounds and words detected by the microphone 334 and
recognized. For example, the activation of the assistance manager
program, the selection corresponding to an aspect of the digital
camera 310, and the assistance request, may occur in response to a
received sound, spoken word, and/or a spoken phrase. For example, a
user may say "assistance manager" to activate the assistance
manager, say "shutter button" as a selection corresponding to an
aspect of the digital camera, and say "demonstration" as a
selection corresponding to an assistance request.
[0074] The assistance manager searches the assistance file saved in
the system memory of the thin computing device included in the
digital camera 310 for an assistance correlating with the
user-selected query for a demonstration of the shutter button. An
assistance is provided corresponding to the query through at least
one interface of the plurality of interfaces 320.
[0075] The digital camera 310 provides assistance correlating to
the user query through the user interfaces 320 of the digital
camera. For example, the assistance may include providing in the
display 332 a demonstrative visual presentation of the functions
and capability of the shutter button 344E. The assistance may
further include flashing the light emitter (not shown) associated
with the shutter button 344E as appropriate to indicate when the
shutter button should be pressed. The assistance may also provide a
voice track through the speaker 338, the voice track may be
coordinated with the visual presentation in the display 332 and
flashing the light emitter associated with the shutter button
344E.
[0076] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary operation
400 receives assistance requests, which may come from an inputter,
such as a human user. After a start operation, the operation moves
to an input operation 410. At the input operation 410, a query
related to an aspect of an electronic device is inputted through a
first interface of the electronic device. At wait operation 430,
the inputter waits while an assistance file is searched for an
assistance response correlating to the input operation 410. At
receive assistance operation 440, a presentation of the assistance
response correlating to the query is received through a third
interface of the electronic device.
[0077] At least one of the first and second interfaces may be user
interfaces, and the first and second interfaces may be at least
substantially similar. In an embodiment, and similar to the
embodiment of the exemplary operation 200 that provides an
assistance described in conjunction with FIG. 3, the first
interface and the second interface may comprise a same physical or
virtual device. The first and second interfaces may share a same
physical or a same virtual device, but be separately activatable
when the physical or virtual device is in a different activating
mode or state.
[0078] Those having skill in the art will recognize that the state
of the art has progressed to the point where there is little
distinction left between hardware and software implementations of
aspects of systems; the use of hardware or software is generally
(but not always, in that in certain contexts the choice between
hardware and software can become significant) a design choice
representing cost vs. efficiency tradeoffs. Those having skill in
the art will appreciate that there are various vehicles by which
processes and/or systems and/or other technologies described herein
can be effected (e.g., hardware, software, and/or firmware), and
that the preferred vehicle will vary with the context in which the
processes and/or systems and/or other technologies are deployed.
For example, if an implementer determines that speed and accuracy
are paramount, the implementer may opt for a mainly hardware and/or
firmware vehicle; alternatively, if flexibility is paramount, the
implementer may opt for a mainly software implementation; or, yet
again alternatively, the implementer may opt for some combination
of hardware, software, and/or firmware. Hence, there are several
possible vehicles by which the processes and/or devices and/or
other technologies described herein may be effected, none of which
is inherently superior to the other in that any vehicle to be
utilized is a choice dependent upon the context in which the
vehicle will be deployed and the specific concerns (e.g., speed,
flexibility, or predictability) of the implementer, any of which
may vary. Those skilled in the art will recognize that optical
aspects of implementations will require optically-oriented
hardware, software, and or firmware.
[0079] The foregoing detailed description has set forth various
embodiments of the devices and/or processes via the use of block
diagrams, flow diagrams, operation diagrams, flowcharts, and/or
examples. Insofar as such block diagrams, operation diagrams,
flowcharts, and/or examples contain one or more functions and/or
operations, it will be understood by those within the art that each
function and/or operation within such block diagrams, operation
diagrams, flowcharts, or examples can be implemented, individually
and/or collectively, by a wide range of hardware, software,
firmware, or virtually any combination thereof. In one embodiment,
several portions of the subject matter described herein may be
implemented via Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs),
Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), digital signal processors
(DSPs), or other integrated formats. However, those skilled in the
art will recognize that some aspects of the embodiments disclosed
herein, in whole or in part, can be equivalently implemented in
standard integrated circuits, as one or more computer programs
running on one or more computers (e.g., as one or more programs
running on one or more computer systems), as one or more programs
running on one or more processors (e.g., as one or more programs
running on one or more microprocessors), as firmware, or as
virtually any combination thereof, and that designing the circuitry
and/or writing the code for the software and or firmware would be
well within the skill of one of skill in the art in light of this
disclosure. In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate
that the mechanisms of the subject matter described herein are
capable of being distributed as a program product in a variety of
forms, and that an illustrative embodiment of the subject matter
described herein applies equally regardless of the particular type
of signal bearing media used to actually carry out the
distribution. Examples of a signal bearing media include, but are
not limited to, the following: recordable type media such as floppy
disks, hard disk drives, CD ROMs, digital tape, and computer
memory; and transmission type media such as digital and analog
communication links using TDM or IP based communication links
(e.g., packet links).
[0080] While particular aspects of the present subject matter
described herein have been shown and described, it will be apparent
to those skilled in the art that, based upon the teachings herein,
changes and modifications may be made without departing from this
subject matter described herein and its broader aspects and,
therefore, the appended claims are to encompass within their scope
all such changes and modifications as are within the true spirit
and scope of this subject matter described herein. Furthermore, it
is to be understood that the invention is solely defined by the
appended claims. It will be understood by those within the art
that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended
claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended
as "open" terms (e.g., the term "including" should be interpreted
as "including but not limited to," the term "having" should be
interpreted as "having at least," the term "includes" should be
interpreted as "includes but is not limited to," etc.). It will be
further understood by those within the art that if a specific
number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an
intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence
of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an
aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain
usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more"
to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases
should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim
recitation by the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any
particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to
inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same
claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least
one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and/or
"an" should typically be interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one
or more"); the same holds true for the use of definite articles
used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a
specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly
recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such
recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the
recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of "two recitations,"
without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations,
or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where
a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, and C, etc." is
used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one
having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a
system having at least one of A, B, and C" would include but not be
limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B
together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C
together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to
"at least one of A, B, or C, etc." is used, in general such a
construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art
would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least
one of A, B, or C" would include but not be limited to systems that
have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together,
B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.).
[0081] The herein described aspects depict different components
contained within, or connected with, different other components. It
is to be understood that such depicted architectures are merely
exemplary, and that in fact many other architectures can be
implemented which achieve the same functionality. In a conceptual
sense, any arrangement of components to achieve the same
functionality is effectively "associated" such that the desired
functionality is achieved. Hence, any two components herein
combined to achieve a particular functionality can be seen as
"associated with" each other such that the desired functionality is
achieved, irrespective of architectures or intermedial components.
Likewise, any two components so associated can also be viewed as
being "operably connected", or "operably coupled", to each other to
achieve the desired functionality, and any two components capable
of being so associated can also be viewed as being "operably
couplable", to each other to achieve the desired functionality.
Specific examples of operably couplable include but are not limited
to physically mateable and/or physically interacting components
and/or wirelessly interactable and/or wirelessly interacting
components.
* * * * *